I’m slightly DCC literate (my layout is DC) and haven’t heard about what I’m interested in trying.
Now to the question: does a decoder exist that can be moved engine-engine? I have some people that I have operating sessions with DCC and was wondering if it would be possible to buy one decoder and then move it from engine to engine depending on what I need to take to that specific operating session.
From what I’ve read I don’t think it’s possible due to some soldering but I thought I’d let the DCC literate confirm my theory[:I].
I’m just learning DCC myself, but I think it is possible.
(Someone please correct me if I’m wrong, but…)
I know at least the Digitrax decoders all have a standard connector that attaches the wires to the decoder itself. You have to solder the wires to the loco, but the decoder can be unplugged from the wiring harness and theoretically plugged into any other loco with a Digitrax harness. In fact, I seem to remember seeing something on their website that actually touted that as one of the benefits of their decoders.
I do believe other manufacturers might have a similar setup, but they probably aren’t all compatible. In other words, you can’t take your Digitrax decoder and plug it into your buddy’s Lenz wiring harness on his loco.
Dan, you are not knowing your NMRA standards, are you? (Don’t take this the wrong way. It’s intended to be a lighthearted remark). To answer the question, if the locomotives are equipped with an NMRA standard plug, then a decoder can be simply “plug and play” for any engine with such a plug. All modern loco’s with a factory installed plug (advertised as “DCC Ready”) use the same design and wiring connections, so it really is a matter of plug and play. You can install these plugs yourself on loco’s that don’t have them, or pay to have it done if you’re not up to the task. What Dan may be thinking is not about the decoders, but about the DCC system itself. For example, you can use ANY DCC decoder with ANY DCC system, but you can’t use say, a DIgitrax throttle with a CVP system. Nor could you use a Lenz throttle on an MRC system. But you can use a Digitrax decoder on ANY system, as well as a Tsunami Decoder, and a Lenz decoder, and whatever other brand decoder you can find. Assuming everything is wired properly, any decoder with a plug will install and work in any loco with a plug.
So, the short answer is yes, many such decoders exist, it’s just a simple matter of having a plug in each engine you wi***o put a decoder in.
Yes, this is “do-able” if the decoder and engines use the standard 8-pin NMRA plug, and if you don’t mind taking the engine apart.
The difficulty of that varies greatly, of course, depending on the engine.
If the engine doesn’t have the plug, you might be able to install one. If there’s space available and your engine is wired to allow it, and you don’t mind a one-time installation project, you could install NMRA sockets in engines without them, and make a DC jumper to connect track pickups directly to the motor leads, etc., for DC operation on your layout. Some engines come that way.
Then when you wanted to run on a DCC layout, you could unplug the jumper and insert a decoder.
The main thing here is, the motor must be completely isolated from the track – many older engines use the frame as one connection from track to motor.
With all the effort to go about outfitting a locomotive with a harness so that you can swap decoders in and out , why not just get a dual decoder so that you can run it on either DC and DCC. My BLI 2-8-2 Mike can run on either DC or DCC.
Is that what I’m reading into your statement “depending on what I need to take to that specific operating session”? Or, are you referring to the “type” of locomotive that you would be bringing to that specific operating session?
While it’s technically possible, there are a number of "if’s:
IF both locos have the same type of plug (there are a couple different types);
IF both locos have room for a common decoder form factor;
IF you don’t want/need/care to change any of the decoder settings (address, lights, various running properties - this is really several “IF’s”);
IF you don’t mind tearing the shells off two locos every time you want to switch.
IF it were me [:D], I’d never put up with all that nonsense.
Just put decoders in all your locos (that’s what I do.) Before you go to the DC layout, set the CV for analog operation. When you’re going to the DCC layout, turn analog off. End of story.
I think Steve has the right idea. Decoders are so cheap now that it would be a lot simpler to just install one in each of your engines. That’s what I do.
If you insist on using the same decoder in multiple engines, Digitrax, TCS and Soundtraxx all use the 9-pin connector between the harness and the decoder. There may be more manufacturers that us it as well. Problem is you will have to rig up a jumper plug to run the loco on DC without the decoder in place. Soundtraxx decoders, at least mine which are all of the older type, do not run on DC. I think the new ones do.
Removing the shell from locos to switch a decoder is labor intensive and can be tedious. Just install decoders. Purchased in bulk, 5 or more at a time, the cost can be as little as $10.00 each.
I agree with the group that says to put a decoder into each engine. You will quickly tire of taking engines apart to swap decoders from one to the other, and there is always the risk of damage to wiring, couplers or detailing.
Besides that, when you decide to switch over to DCC yourself, you’ll be that much further ahead.
About the only engines I would consider doing this with are some of the BLI steamers. The Hudson tender, for example, is just a very snug press on to the frame. However, the more experienced modelers are likely to urge you to handle your locomotives, particularly the more finely detailed ones in plastic, as seldom as possible to avoid premature wear and tear… or outright damage.
Please, yes, just decoder all your locos and be done with it.
Why would you want to go to the trouble of removing a decoder from one engine and putting it into another when decoder prices are down to $15 or less if you don’t need sound.
The other issue is that if the decoder is going to be swapped between locos that are not similar in characteristics, speed tables and voltage settings become more harm than good. The decoder would essentially be nothing more than a passport to run on a DCC operation.
Plus, each time you plug in or unplug anything electronic, you risk something unwelcome happening. In addition to what Mr. Beasley pointed out, one static discharge will cause you to need another decoder. The recommendation to just put decoders in all locos you want to run with DCC is the best, lowest risk solution.
I’d think about putting one in each loco but considering that I will probably never go DCC until I get my own layout and I only go to one operating session every 2-3 months, spending that kind of money seems rather wasteful.
If it gets to the point where i have an op session every week or two then yea, I would probably get a decoder for every locomotive.